We went to Tri-Cities, WA, to visit Grandpa, Grandma Virginia, and the temple.
Oh, and for Kelly to go on a date with her friend from EFY (Especially For Youth).
Andy had to work, so it was just the kids and me.
We did great on the drive over and actually drove into Pasco an hour early!
It was a good thing though, because I forgot to bring the GPS direction thing and my cell phone (which I bought for this purpose!) was not working the way I needed it to, to give me directions!
A little back story--during the past 3 1/2 years while Anthony needed monthly trips or more to Seattle for chemo or other appointments, we'd sometimes stay in a hotel. Or, when we'd travel anywhere else, we'd have to stay in a hotel versus staying with family members because of low immunity.
So, to save money I used Priceline to book hotels.
Typically we'd get a good room at Red Lion or Holiday Inn Express hotels.
I'd typically call the day or two before and ask if we could have a room with 2 beds.
So this time, in Richland, the hotel we were supposed to stay at was in a sketchy area to start with.
I had called beforehand-two times!- to see if we could have a room with 2 beds.
They said they could only do a room with one bed because that's all that Priceline had reserved for us.
I didn't reserve/pay for 2 rooms because this is how we'd been able to do it for so long!
We finally arrived at the hotel, and I was checking in.
The front desk lady couldn't upgrade the room because the computer wouldn't let her.
I was ready to just bite it and stay in a room with 5 of our children with me with just 1 bed.
I said something about our children, and she asked how many I have...
dumb me, I answered honestly (which I wouldn't have been dishonest anyway).
She freaked out and said they couldn't have us all in one room because it isn't legal.
So, I asked if we could rent another room and have them together.
We could get two rooms, but she couldn't put 2 rooms together ANYWHERE in that hotel.
There's no way I'm having some of my children in a hotel room that isn't connected to mine, especially in a sketchy area!
So, we called Holiday Inn Express in Richland.
HIExpress is a Make a Wish supporter, so they always come to mind.
They are also clean and have free breakfast in the morning, plus usually there's a pool.
Yes, they had a suite we could stay in.
$150 later we were in what to us is luxury!
I've learned my lesson, and that is
DO NOT USE PRICELINE in the future!
They would not give a refund of the money I had paid for the other hotel, that we weren't able to use.
The suite was so nice.
Huge jetted tub, microwave, refrigerator, tvs in each room, table and chairs, plus a sink for food stuff, and dishes.
And, the pool was great! Anthony was willing to float on his back in it!
He thought the tub was cool.
Watching tv together
What's a hotel stay without climbing into one of the drawers?!
We went to the Columbia River Temple the next day.
Lilly was posing on a wall.
Anthony played on the huge lawn, and I didn't worry about him because the beautiful fence....
I happened to look over, and he had found a gap.
I couldn't climb over the fence to get him.
Lilly couldn't.
My dad couldn't.
Anthony was looking at the road and then at me, and was starting to walk toward the road.
I ran over and dropped my camera (on purpose) to his side of the fence, trying to lure him toward me so I could hold onto him while Lilly and my dad walked around to get him.
Luckily, Anthony fell for it. Normally he wouldn't do it.
I held on and even though Anthony tried to squirm out of my hand on his wrist, I did not let go!
Lilly and my dad made it over there, and walked him back.
My little escape artist. Only Anthony would be able to find a gap in the corner of the fence with just an extra inch to be able to squirm out.
Walking to the play room in the church building next to the temple.
Grandpa and Grandma Virginia
Anthony with Tia Maria
He loves snuggles with her. :)
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